Spain begin their quest to exorcise eight years of World Cup demons as they take on Costa Rica in Group E play.
The 2022 World Cup offers an opportunity for Spain to put years of frustration to bed. As defending champions, La Roja suffered an embarrassing group-stage exit at the 2014 finals before being knocked out in the Round of 16 four years ago after a penalty shootout against hosts Russia. It will be up to Luis Enrique to keep Spain from a third consecutive sub-standard result.
The challenge is stiff as they drew this year’s “Group of Death” alongside Germany, Japan, and today’s opponents Costa Rica.
The CONCACAF nation have shocked the world before, reaching the quarterfinals in 2014 despite a brutally difficult group, which they finished atop.
MORE: Follow all 2022 FIFA World Cup daily picks & predictions from The Sporting News here
Spain vs. Costa Rica odds
Spain are considered massive favorites over Costa Rica, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
The Central American side, led by grizzled veteran Keylor Navas, have been in this situation before, topping their 2014 group ahead of England, Italy, and Uruguay. They love to grind games to a halt, but bookmakers actually see Spain running away with this match. However, the “no” on both teams to score is a gargantuan favorite as it would be tough to see who would find the strike for Costa Rica.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and LadBrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction |
SkyBet | LadBrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain win | -650 | 1.12 | 1/9 | 1/7 |
| Draw | +650 | 7.36 | 7/1 | 13/2 |
| Costa Rica win | +1800 | 20.00 | 25/1 | 22/1 |
| Both teams to score Y / N |
+190 / -275 | 2.75 / 1.34 | 2/1, 4/11 | 15/8, 4/11 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
-155 / +110 | 1.66 / 2.15 | 8/13, 6/5 | 8/13, 6/5 |
| Spain -2.5 | +135 | 1.52 | — | — |
| Costa Rica +2.5 | -190 | 2.48 | — | — |
Spain vs. Costa Rica: 3 things to know
Spain vs. Costa Rica team news
The biggest injury news for Spain is that Luis Enrique will be without in-form goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga who tore a muscle in his foot. Valencia full-back Jose Gaya was also ruled out of the tournament, replaced on the roster by Alejandro Balde. Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta is expected to be fit despite suffering a knock just before the break, while Mikel Oyarzabal is out while he recovers from an ACL tear.
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas struggled with a back injury this year at Paris Saint-Germain but is expected to be fit for this match. It’s the only known injury worry for Costa Rica, who are otherwise fully fit and ready to shoot for an upset.
MORE: Full injury tracker for all 32 teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Spain vs. Costa Rica key stats
- These two teams have matched up three previous times, all in friendlies, with Spain winning twice and the third time finishing level. This is the first matchup between the nations in a competitive setting.
- Since winning the 2010 World Cup, Spain have not won a single knockout game. They were eliminated in the group stage in 2014 and then were knocked out in the Round of 16 in 2018.
- In 2014, Costa Rica topped their group ahead of Uruguay, Italy and England before topping Greece in the Round of 16. They would fall to eventual third-place finishers Netherlands in the quarterfinal on penalties.
Spain vs. Costa Rica match facts
- Date: Wednesday, November 23
- Kickoff Time: 11:00 a.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. GMT / 3:00 a.m. AEDT (Tue, Nov. 22)
- Location: Al Thumama Stadium
- Official: Mohammed Abdulla Mohammed (UAE)
Spain vs. Costa Rica prediction
- Moneyline lean: Spain (-650)
- Against the spread lean: Costa Rica +1.5 (+150)
- Score prediction: Spain 1-0 Costa Rica
While Spain should emerge victorious, Costa Rica will muck the game up, and the favorites do not have a host of players that can handle that well.
I believe there’s a good chance that Spain could drop points in this match, but I don’t trust it enough to back it with a bet. What I do trust is Costa Rica’s ability to keep it close, and the handicap provides more than palatable odds to give us some wiggle room.
Spain vs. Costa Rica: best bets
- Pick: Under 2.5 goals
- Odds: +110 (BetMGM)
- Pick: Costa Rica +1.5
- Odds: +150 (BetMGM)
As stated above, Costa Rica love to grind games to a halt. While they don’t feature enough firepower to breach the Spain defense, they certainly do have enough CONCACAF in them to frustrate the European side.
Spain have been held to just one goal recently against both Portugal and Switzerland in Nations League play, and their expected goals total didn’t suggest they were unlucky with their low haul. Costa Rica profile similarly to Portugal, and the under should be a great play. Along with that, there’s a great chance that Costa Rica will cover the large spread as well.
Hits: 0
